Options on the table for Springfield Parkway path

Fort Mill planners are weighing new ideas for pathways along Springfield Parkway in hopes of keeping grant money already awarded for the project.

The grant money is a use-it or lose-it proposition and a viable plan is the first step.

“It’s a situation (that) if we don’t do what we’re talking about here, we lose the money,” town Councilman Larry Huntley said.

In 2011, the town received a $621,000 grant for a bike and pedestrian path along Springfield Parkway and A.O. Jones Boulevard, near Nation Ford High School. The grant included a 20 percent town match. The plan included an overpass atop the railroad track there to improve access to the school, the Springfield community and Carolina Thread Trail.

When Pulte Group began developing Carolina Orchards, a proposal for a golf cart path came up connecting that community to the golf course at Springfield, but Springfield residents turned out to voice opposition at a public meeting. Their main complaint was that a golf cart path through a community that wasn’t designed for it would pose a safety threat.

Town staff has had continued discussions with Carolina Orchards and Springfield representatives.

“At the same time,” said planning director Joe Cronin, “We are kind of under the gun with (South Carolina Department of Transportation).”

The latest idea is to go back to the Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study – the group approving the initial air quality grant – and ask to re-scope the project. The town is looking at three options.

One would create a sidewalk from the front Springfield entrance to the high school, and from the school to Lion Lane in Regal Manor. The paths wouldn’t be connected. Another alternative is similar, but with a connection going past the school. A third option includes everything from the first two, but with an extension up through Regal Manor to Starlight Drive.

The town will talk with the county and Fort Mill School District to see if partnerships are available.

“We should be able to get most of that project done with the grant money,” Cronin said.

Several areas around the high school don’t have sidewalks or features that would be there given current development standards.

“It was approved with what the requirements were at the time,” Cronin said.

Lighting may not be eligible under the grant, but Council expressed interest in lighting certain areas for safety.

“If there’s a crosswalk, it ought to be lit,” said Mayor Guynn Savage.

Council decisions

Also on April 25, Fort Mill Town Council approved a 10-year lease for the parking lot behind businesses on the east side of Main Street, along Confederate Street. Downtown Partners and MCS Enterprises will lease the lot to the town for $6,000. The town will maintain it.

The town also added annexed 18 acres. One property, at more than 15 acres, sits on Whites Road beside a larger property set for a future high school. The new annexation should become part of the high school site. A smaller annexation, at more than three acres, sits at 601 Sutton Road across from Masons Bend.

Issues like potential traffic impact at the Sutton Road site are difficult to say.

“At this point it’s probably too early to tell, because there’s no intended use for the property,” Cronin said.

There’s a senior residential project and hotel planned nearby, and future development could change the outlook, but for now the roadways near the site “aren’t too bad,” Cronin said.

“They’re well within the limits of what that road is designed to handle,” he said.

Council unanimously approved a resolution in favor of Tega Cay’s Catawba Park. Fort Mill and Tega Cay partner on some recreation programs, and the planned park on Lake Wylie is a major part of Tega Cay’s recreation planning. The resolution is part of an effort by both municipalities to increase communication and, where possible, shared planning.

“In the last few months we’ve had a lot of opportunities for Tega Cay to reach out and work with us,” Savage said.

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Options on the table for Springfield Parkway path."